Syringe cap

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a syringe cap having two functions, namely: slippage stopping when removing the same from the tip of a syringe; and excessive push-in prevention when attaching the same to the tip of the syringe. [Solution] A syringe cap is characterized by having a substantially cylindrical outside shape and having, on the lateral surface, a plurality of continuous protrusions that have a waveform cross-sectional shape and that are provided in the axial direction. The protrusions each have: a first inclined plane that has a first inclination and that extends from a first minimum diameter part to a maximum diameter part; and a second inclined plane that has a second inclination and that extends from the maximum diameter part to a second minimum diameter part. The first inclined plane has a gradient having a constant magnitude at a portion excluding at least the first minimum diameter part and the maximum diameter part. The maximum diameter part is located at a position closer to an opening as compared with a position 1 / 2 of the full length of the corresponding one of the protrusions.

Description

Syringe cap

[0001] The present invention relates to a syringe cap that is fitted to the tip of a syringe to protect the injection needle protruding from the tip of the syringe.

[0002] In medical settings, it is common practice to transfer drug solutions from vials or other medical containers into syringes equipped with needles for use. Meanwhile, pre-filled syringes, which contain a predetermined amount of a specific injection solution, are also widely used in medical settings because they allow for the accurate and error-free administration of the prescribed solution in emergency situations. Among these types of pre-filled syringes, so-called pre-filled syringes with attached needles, where the injection needle is pre-attached and fixed to the tip of the barrel, are also widely used in medical settings. In connection with this, syringe caps, such as those shown in Patent Document 1, have been proposed to protect the injection needle protruding from the tip of the pre-filled syringe.

[0003] International Publication No. 2011-114917, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-80429

[0004] In the syringe cap shown in Patent Document 1, medical professionals sometimes experienced poor workability when removing the cap because their fingers would slip. Patent Document 2 discloses a syringe cap with circumferentially continuous anti-slip ribs 32c, but it has problems with handling.

[0005] This invention addresses the problems of the prior art and aims to provide a syringe cap that has two functions: preventing slippage when removing it from the syringe tip and preventing over-insertion when attaching it to the syringe tip.

[0006] 1) The syringe cap according to the present invention is a syringe cap fitted to the tip of a syringe to protect an injection needle protruding from the tip of the syringe, and has a substantially cylindrical external shape consisting of one tip, the other opening, and a side surface, and has a plurality of continuous corrugated cross-sectional protrusions provided axially on the side surface, and the protrusion has a first inclined surface with a first slope from the first minimum diameter portion toward the maximum diameter portion and a second inclined surface with a second slope from the maximum diameter portion toward the second minimum diameter portion, and the first inclined surface has a slope of a certain magnitude in at least the portion excluding the first minimum diameter portion and the maximum diameter portion, and the maximum diameter portion is located closer to the opening than 1 / 2 of the total length of the protrusion.

[0007] Thus, the first bevel formed on the side surface of the cap, extending from the tip towards the opening, is relatively long and has a small, constant slope, while the second bevel is relatively short and has a large slope. The maximum diameter portion is the connection point between the first and second bevels, and can be a pointed apex, but can also be a rounded apex, and a rounded apex is preferable. Similarly, the minimum diameter portion is also the connection point between the first and second bevels, and can be made without rounding, but can be a rounded bend, and a rounded bend is preferable.

[0008] If both the first minimum diameter portion and the first maximum diameter portion are pointed vertices, the slope of the first inclination plane between the first minimum diameter portion and the first maximum diameter portion is constant. If both the first minimum diameter portion and the first maximum diameter portion are rounded bends, the slope of the first inclination plane is constant for the portion excluding the first minimum diameter portion and the first maximum diameter portion.

[0009] When removing this syringe cap from the syringe tip, the medical professional's fingers will pull the syringe cap from the opening towards the tip. The widest part of the projection is located closer to the opening than half the total length of the projection, preventing the fingers from slipping and allowing for safe removal.

[0010] When attaching a syringe cap to the tip of a syringe, the medical professional's fingers press the syringe cap from the tip toward the opening. The projection has a relatively long, gently sloping first bevel, which reduces the chance of the finger catching on the projection and prevents the syringe cap from being pushed in too far.

[0011] 2) In the syringe cap according to the present invention, two rows of protrusions, each consisting of multiple protrusions, may be provided on opposite sides of the substantially cylindrical surface, extending over a predetermined width and length. With this configuration, a medical professional can grasp the substantially cylindrical surface with two fingers, and since the protrusions are formed over a predetermined width and length, finger slippage is prevented, allowing the syringe cap to be safely removed. It is also possible to provide protrusions around the entire circumference of the syringe cap, in which case the medical professional can grasp the surface without worrying about the circumferential orientation of the syringe cap.

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a syringe cap that has two functions: preventing slippage when removing it from the syringe tip and preventing over-insertion when attaching it to the syringe tip.

[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a syringe cap (syringe cap body) according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the syringe cap body, where (a) is a side view seen from the side of the opening, (b) is a cross-sectional view along A-A', (c) is a cross-sectional view along B-B', (d) is a front view showing the side with the arrangement of protrusions, and (e) is a side view seen from the side of the tip in the orientation of Figure (d). Figure 1 is a magnified partial cross-sectional view of the arrangement of protrusions of the syringe cap (syringe cap body) shown in Figure 1. Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of the arrangement of protrusions of the syringe cap (syringe cap body) shown in Figure 1. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the syringe cap, where (a) is a side view seen from the side of the opening, (b) is a cross-sectional view along A-A', (c) is a cross-sectional view along B-B', and (d) is a front view showing the side with the arrangement of protrusions.

[0014] The configuration of a syringe cap according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a syringe cap according to one embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 1, the syringe cap 1 is a syringe cap fitted to the tip of a syringe (not shown), has a substantially cylindrical external shape, and includes a side surface 11 of the syringe cap 1, a substantially circular tip portion 12 formed on the tip side of the syringe cap 1, and a circular opening 13 formed on the rear end side of the syringe cap 1. The syringe cap 1 consists of a syringe cap body 2 and an interior member 5 inserted and fixed inside it. The syringe cap body 2 is sometimes called a cap cover, and the interior member 5 is sometimes called a rubber molded body.

[0015] The cap body 2 is preferably molded from a rigid plastic such as polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polycarbonate (PC), high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), or polymethylpentene (PMP).

[0016] Styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS) is particularly suitable as the main elastic material for the interior component 5. In addition, thermoplastic elastomers with excellent heat resistance and elution properties such as styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SBS), styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer (SIS), and styrene-isobutylene-styrene block copolymer (SIBS) can also be used. Alternatively, synthetic rubbers such as butyl rubber (IIR), chlorinated butyl rubber (CIIR), brominated butyl rubber (BIIR), and ethylene-propylene-diene ternary copolymer rubber (EPDM) can also be used, taking into account gas barrier properties and elution properties.

[0017] Figure 1 shows the external appearance of the syringe cap 1, but also shows the external appearance of the syringe cap body 2. The side surface 11 is provided with a projection array 4, in which multiple projections with a wavy cross-section are formed extending from the tip 12 over a predetermined length and width. Figure 1 shows one of the projection array 4, and a similar projection array (not shown in Figure 1) is provided on the opposite side of the side surface 11.

[0018] Figure 2(a) is an axial side view of the syringe cap body 2 as seen from the opening 13, showing the various parts of the syringe cap body 2 within the outer circumference of the circular opening 13. As shown in the A-A' cross-sectional view in Figure 2(b), multiple corrugated cross-sectional protrusions are provided on the side surface 11 over a predetermined distance from the tip 12. The B-B' cross-sectional view in Figure 2(c) shows a cross-section rotated 90 degrees from the A-A' cross-sectional view. As shown in Figure 2(b), the protrusion arrangement 4 is formed in two locations on the opposite side of the side surface 11. Figure 2(c) shows the bottom surface 40 of one of the protrusion arrangement 4.

[0019] Figure 2(d) is a front view of one of the projection arrangement sections 4 as seen from the front. The projection arrangement section 4 is provided on the side surface 11 in the axial direction, and the projection arrangement section 4 includes both ends 41, 42 and a plurality of projections 43 of the same shape. Figure 2(e) is an axial side view seen from the tip section 12 side. As shown in Figure 2(e), the tip section 12 is a substantially circular shape formed by connecting two arcs with two straight lines. The straight lines correspond to the projection arrangement section 4. The outer arc of the straight lines corresponds to a part of the opening 13.

[0020] Figure 3 is a magnified cross-sectional view of one of the projection arrangement sections 4, with the tip section 12 on the left side of the figure and the opening 13 on the right side. Multiple projections 43 are arranged axially in the projection arrangement section 4, and only a portion of them is shown. On the near and far sides of the figure, there are side surfaces 11 with an arc-shaped cross-section. The projection arrangement section 4 includes multiple projections 43, but except for both ends, it has a roughly rectangular planar shape.

[0021] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the portion D enclosed by the dashed line in Figure 2(b), i.e., a partial cross-sectional view of the projection arrangement portion 4 shown in Figure 3. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the corrugated projection 43 extends from the first minimum diameter portion 43min1 to the first inclination Θ １ The projection 43 rises up and reaches its top, i.e., the maximum diameter portion 43max, and the second inclination Θ ２ It then drops down and reaches the second minimum diameter portion 43min². The length from the first minimum diameter portion 43min¹ to the second minimum diameter portion 43min², i.e., the total length of the projection 43, is L, and the horizontal length from the first minimum diameter portion 43min¹ to the maximum diameter portion 43max is L.１ Let the horizontal length from the maximum diameter part 43max to the second minimum diameter part 43min2 be L. ２ Then, L １ > 1 / 2L, and the maximum diameter part 43max is located closer to the opening part 13 than 1 / 2 of the total length L of the protrusion 43.

[0022] The maximum diameter part 43max is the connecting part of the first inclined surface P １ and the second inclined surface P k ２ and it is possible to have a pointed vertex, but since it is the part where the fingertips of workers such as medical staff hit, it is preferably a rounded vertex. Also, the minimum diameter parts 43min1 and 43min2 are also the connecting parts of the first inclined surface P １ and the second inclined surface P ２ and it is possible to make them non-rounded, but for convenience of molding, it is preferably a rounded bent part. <^

[0023] When the maximum diameter part 43max is a pointed vertex and the minimum diameter parts 43min1 and 43min2 are non-rounded bent parts, the first inclined surface P from the minimum diameter part 43min1 to the maximum diameter part 43max １ is a plane having a constant inclination Θ １ over its horizontal length L １ . When the maximum diameter part 43max is a rounded vertex and the minimum diameter parts 43min1 and 43min2 are rounded bent parts, the first inclined surface P excluding the minimum diameter part 43min1 and the maximum diameter part 43max １ is a plane having a constant inclination Θ １ over its horizontal length L １ .

[0024] The width of the protrusion 43 is W, and the first inclined surface P between the first minimum diameter part 43min1 and the maximum diameter part 43max １ is a plane. The protrusion 43 is formed at the same height H over its width W, and compared with the case where the protrusion is arc-shaped in the circumferential direction, the contact with the fingertips of medical staff becomes easier. The second inclined surface P from the maximum diameter part 43max to the second minimum diameter part 43min2 ２ is a plane or a curved surface.

[0025] Thus, the first inclined surface P １ is relatively long (horizontal length L１ and has a small constant inclination Θ １ and the second inclined surface P ２ is relatively short (horizontal length L ２ ) and has a large inclination Θ ２ . The inclination of the first inclined surface P １ and the second inclined surface P ２ is such that Θ １ < Θ ２ . In this embodiment, the inclination Θ １ of the first inclined surface P １ is set small at 10 degrees, and the horizontal length L １ from the first minimum diameter portion 43min1 to the maximum diameter portion 43max with respect to the total length L of the protrusion is not less than 70%, and the first inclined surface P １ is a long, gentle, smooth inclined surface, but is not limited to these values.

[0026] When the second inclined surface P ２ is a plane, regardless of whether the maximum diameter portion 43max is a pointed vertex or a rounded vertex, and also regardless of whether the minimum diameter portion 43min2 is a non-rounded bent portion or a rounded bent portion, it has a constant inclination Θ ２ over the horizontal length L ２ of that plane portion. In this embodiment, the second inclined surface is a plane, but the second inclined surface can also be a curved surface.

[0027] Fig. 5 is a view showing the configuration of the syringe cap 1 in which an interior member is inserted and fixed in the internal cavity of the cap body 2 and assembled, (a) is an axial side view seen from the opening 13 side, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along A - A', (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along B - B', and (d) is a front view of the side provided with the protrusion array portion 4.

[0028] In Fig. 5, the syringe cap 1 is a cap fitted to the tip of a prefilled syringe (not shown) prefilled with a predetermined amount of injection solution in advance. The syringe cap 1 is composed of a cap body 2 and an interior member 5 having a receiving cavity 51 corresponding to the tip shape of the prefilled syringe, and the interior member 5 is inserted and fixed in the internal cavity of the cap body 2.

[0029] Thus, the syringe cap 1 consists of a rubber inner member 5 that fits onto the tip of the syringe when the injection needle is inserted, and a hard resin cap body 2 that covers the inner member 5. As shown in Figure 5(a), the receiving cavity 51, the inner member 5, and the cap body 2 are arranged concentrically.

[0030] As shown in Figure 5(d), a rectangular hole 15 is provided near the opening 13 of the cap body 2. As shown in Figure 5(b), a protrusion 55 is provided on the outer circumference of the interior member 5 corresponding to the hole 15 when the interior member 5 is inserted into the internal cavity of the cap body 2. When the interior member 5 is inserted into the internal cavity from the side of the opening 13 of the cap body 2, the tip of the protrusion 55 fits in with the hole 15 so as to protrude outward from the inner wall of the cap body 2, and the interior member 5 is fixed so as not to fall out of the cap body 2.

[0031] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The syringe cap 1 is stored attached to the needle-equipped syringe, and then removed from the syringe by a healthcare professional prior to injection. If stored for a long period of time, the inner surface of the syringe cap 1 may become stuck to the outer surface of the syringe tip, making it difficult to remove. When removing the syringe cap 1 from the syringe, the healthcare professional uses two fingers to grasp the two rows of projections 4 provided on both sides of the side surface 11 of the syringe cap 1, and pulls the syringe cap 1 in the direction of arrow D in Figures 1 and 3 (from the opening 13 toward the tip 12). Since multiple projections 43 are formed on the projection arrangement 4, it is possible to prevent fingers from slipping on the surface of the syringe cap 1.

[0032] When attaching the syringe cap 1 to the syringe, the medical professional aligns the opening of the syringe cap 1 with the tip of the syringe, and then uses two fingers to grasp the two rows of protrusions 4 located on both sides of the side 11 of the syringe cap 1, and pushes the syringe cap 1 in the direction of arrow A in Figures 1 and 3 (from the tip 12 towards the opening 13). The protrusions 4 have a gentle first slope P. １ Since multiple protrusions 43 are formed, even if you push the syringe cap 1 with more force than necessary, the slope P１ The smooth surface allows your fingers to slide, preventing you from pressing the cap in too far.

[0033] Multiple protrusions 43 are formed at the same height along their width W, which reliably prevents fingers from slipping when removing the syringe cap 1. Also, the first inclined surface P １ The gentle slope Θ １ The same is true across the width W, and even if you push the syringe cap 1 with more force than necessary, the slope P １ The smooth surface allows your fingers to slide easily, effectively preventing you from over-pressing the cap.

[0034] In this embodiment, the syringe cap 1 is formed by first creating the cap body 2 and the inner member 5 as separate components, and then assembling the two components. The assembled syringe cap 1 is referred to as a syringe cap, but the cap body 2 alone before assembly may also be referred to as a syringe cap.

[0035] In the above embodiment, the cap body 2 and the interior member 5 are formed as separate components and then assembled. However, the cap body 2 and the interior member 5 may also be integrally injection-molded by so-called two-color molding, which involves replacing a part of the mold and performing injection molding twice.

[0036] 1 Syringe cap 2 Cap body 4 Protrusion arrangement section 5 Interior component 11 Side 12 Tip 13 Opening 15 Hole 40 Bottom 41 End 42 End 43 Protrusion 51 Receiving cavity 55 Protrusion P １ First slope P ２ Second slope

Claims

1. A syringe cap fitted to the tip of a syringe to protect an injection needle protruding from the tip of the syringe, having a substantially cylindrical outer shape consisting of one tip, the other opening, and a side surface, having a plurality of continuous corrugated cross-sectional protrusions provided axially on the side surface, wherein the protrusion has a first inclination with a first slope from a first minimum diameter portion toward a maximum diameter portion and a second inclination with a second slope from this maximum diameter portion toward a second minimum diameter portion, wherein the first inclination has a constant inclination in at least the portion excluding the first minimum diameter portion and the maximum diameter portion, and the maximum diameter portion is located closer to the opening than half the total length of the protrusion.

2. The syringe cap according to claim 1, characterized in that two rows of protrusions, each consisting of multiple protrusions, are provided on opposite sides of the substantially cylindrical surface over a predetermined width and length.

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